Sound and moving picture reproducing machine



Aug. 14, 1934- J. w. EARLY ET AL SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 20, 1931 Inveezioz's-James WJi'az'gy F ecllifiarrz'n 0/? MM 7' flZZOLIZEYS.

Aug. 14, 1934. .J. w. EARLY ET AL SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCINGMACHINE Original Filed March 20, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors. JamesW. Fred Era 1/. Ha n:

Aug. 14, 1934. J. w. EARLY ET AL 1,970,287

SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCING MACHINE Original Filed March 20,1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Invevzors. James W Ea 2' Zy. Fred Elfdz'zz'ngiorz' WM fliiobnevs.

Aug. 14, 1934. J. w. EARLY ETAL SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCINGMACHINE Original Filed March 20, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 In ve ZLZ'OZ'SJames 77. Ear Fred lllfiirz' W l/liiorneys;

Aug. 14, 1934. J w EARLY ET AL 1,970,287

SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCING MACHINE Original Filed March 20.1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenors elzmes "(Earl 3 Fred liigdzn'n Jon,

a- 1934- .J. w. EARLY El AL 1,970,287

SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUCING MACHINE I G'riginal Filed March 20,1931 G-Sheets-Sheet 6 Irzven for WW4 w;

Patented Aug. 14, 1934 SOUND AND MOVING PICTURE REPRODUC- ING MACHINEJames W. Early and Fred H. Harrington, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors,by direct and mesne assignments, to American Reproducers Company, LosAngeles, Calif., a copartnership composed of James W. Early, J. W. G.Curtiss, Kadja. V. Wolff, and Inez M. Walcott Application March 20,1931; Serial No. 524,008 Renewed June 30, 1934 Claims.

This invention relates to means for reproducing moving pictures andsounds associated with the pictures, and the principal object is toprovide a machine having a universal base constructed 5 to accommodateany of the projection heads and lamp housings now in use, and arrangedwith other parts so that in operation the machine, has a relativelyperfect balance. To that end we provide a table of very rigidconstruction on which a support and magazine housing are mounted withthe magazine rim integral with a sound head on which a platform or baseis arranged to support any of the projector heads now in use with themagazine rim also carrying a relatively rigid frame for supporting thelamp housing.

Another object of the invention-isjco provide a unitary means forsupporting the projector head and lamp housing so that these parts canbe moved in an arc to focus the lens of the projector head on a screen.To that end we provide a support on the machine table to which themagazine housing is adjustabiy connected so it can be turned in an arcto accomplish the focusing hereinbefore referred to. This are ad-J'ustment of the magazine to adjust the other parts is of greatimportance and utility in the art as a proper focusing of the lens ofthe projector head can be accomplished without disturbing its relationor adjustment relative to the lamp housing as both move together whenthe magazine is moved in an arc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sound and moving picturereproducing machine with means for reproducing the sounds associatedwith the picture both by a phonographic disk record and electrical meansall built in one unit and operated by a single drive that is relativelynoiseless and free from vibrations so that a nearly perfect reproductionof both picture and sound is accomplished. To that end we provide aphonograph turntable on which a disk record can be placed and the soundreproduced in a timed relation with the projection of the picture; alsoin the sound head we provide electrical means including exciter lampsand photolytic cell for reproducing the sounds associated with themoving picture from the sound track on the film, and the unitary drivefor all of the moving mechanism of the machine is made without the useof 5G belts and chains such as would produce sounds and vibrations thatwould mar the beauty of tone and faithfulness of reproduction which areoutstanding features of our invention.

A feature of invention is shown in providing a lamp turntable in theexciter lamp chamber on in accordance with this invention, parts thatare which a plurality of exciter lamps are arranged with manual meanswithin easy reach of the operator for instantly, turning the table toreplace a burned out lamp so he will not need to stop the projection ofthe picture to replace it. In other words a one-fourth rotation of ahand wheel moves a burned out lamp out offocus with the photolytic celland replaces it with a live lamp. This change can be made so quicklythat there will not be a noticeable interruption in the sound recordsuch as would destroy the beauty and balance of tone.

A feature of invention is shown in the construction of the removablegate for the film that is adjustable so it can be used with variouswidth films. Also the gate is provided with a two-part guide wheel withone part engaged with a spring so it can yield to compensate foranyunevenness of the width of the film.

Features of invention are shown in the construction, combination andarrangement of parts whereby a sound and moving picture machine isprovided which in operation is relatively free from ground noise andvibration sothat the reproductions of both the picture and associated'sounds are relatively perfect. r

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from theaccompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and theappended claims. 85

The accompanying drawings illustrate the in.- vention, in which: 1

. Figure l is a side View of a sound and'moving picture reproducingmachine that is constructed new being indicated semidiagrammatically byfull line, and the oldparts indicated by dotted lines, the doors for theexciter lamp, film moving mechanism, and photolytic cell chamber beingomitted for the sake of clearness in the drawing.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sound and moving picture reproducingmachine with the projector head and lamp housing omitted, partsindicated semi-diagrammatically and showing one form of frame forsupporting the projector lamp housing.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental section on line 33, Fig. 2, showinganother form of frame for supporting the projector lamp housing.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the chambers for housing the exciterlamps, film moving mechanism and photoelectric cell with the doorremoved, parts indicated semidiagrammatically.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental view of a film having both a soundtrack and picture sections.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental side view of no the feed magazine withits door removed and the take-up shaft in cross section, showing themagazine adjustably secured to a support on the table so it can beturned in an arc to change the position of its integral base or platformon which the projector head can be mounted, the latter being omitted forthe sake of clearness in the drawings. Also indicating by dot and dashlines three of the various positions to whichthe platform can be movedby adjusting the magazine on its support.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the table on which the machine is mountedshowing its construction relatively heavy so as to minimize vibrationwhen the machine is in use.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental side view of the table showing the outwardinclination of its legs that materially aid in preventing excessivevibration when the machine is in use.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmental section on the line 9-9, Fig. 7,showing the means for adjustably securing the legs to the table.

Fig. 10 is a semi-diagrammatic side view of the film gate detached fromthe machine showing its guide roller mechanism adjustable to suit anywidth of film and also adjustable relative to properly arranging it inthe machine.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental sectional view as taken on staggered line 11-11,Fig. 1, parts indicated semidiagrammatically.

Fig. 12 is a slightly enlarged section on line 12-12, Fig. 11, partsbroken away and omitted and other parts indicated semidiagrammatically,showing how part of the gear housing can have an arc movement around themagazine take-up shaft.

Fig. 13 is a section on line 13-l3 of Fig 12, further illustrating theconstruction and arrangement of parts in the split gear housing.

The picture and sound reproducing machine includes a table 10 that isadjustably supported on legs 11 that have large flat feet 12 that coverconsiderable space so that when the machine is arranged on a floorfrictional contact between the feet and floor will prevent the machinefrom creeping when in operation. The upper ends of the legs 11 areextended into inclined sockets l3 and are adjustably secured therein byset screws 14. By adjustment of the legs the table can be raised orlowered or adjusted side and endwise so as to move the projecting andreproducing mechanism thereon into proper position relative to afocusing area such as a screen.

The top surface of the table 10 is provided with raised seats 15, 16,1'7 and 18 on which several of the parts of the machine are mounted andsecured. A hollow shell-like support 19 having a vertical wall issecured by screw bolts 20 on the seat 15 so it stands perpendicular onthe table 10, and it has a horizontally arranged bearing hole 21extending through its face or closed side through which the film take-upshaft 22 is extended.

Also extended through the closed side of the support 19 are the spacedslots 23 that are concentric to the center of the hole 21 and extendedthrough these slots are the screw bolts 24 that are secured in the innerwall 25 of the film takeup magazine 26. The bolts 24, when tightened,secure the magazine to the support, but when loosened the magazine canbe turned on its axis a distance equal to the degree arcs of the slots23; and extended through the wall 25 is a hole 27 that is in registerwith the hole 21, and the walls of the holes 21, 27 form a bearing forthe shaft22.

In Fig. 6 this adjustment of the magazine 26 relative to the verticalsupport 19 is illustrated by full and dotted lines. Also the dot anddash line aa shows the magazine in position for its platform- 28 tosupport the projector head 29 in a horizontal plane; the double dot anddash line b--b shows the platform 28 inclined upward, and the triple dotand dash line 0-0 shows it inclined downward.

The purpose of tilting the platform 28 is to properly focus the lens ofthe projector head on a focal area such as a screen. The projector headand its lens are old in the art and for that reason are not shown ordescribed in detail, it being understood that any suitable projectorhead now in use can be used with this machine.

The magazine 26 carries a frame 30 on which the lamp housing 31 isadjustably mounted as indicated in Fig. l, and preferably this frame isformed by transversely arranged short pipes 32, 33 secured in bearings34, 35 that are integral with the rim of the magazine 26. A pair ofparallel lamp supporting pipes 36 are spaced apart and have their innerends extended through and secured to opposite ends of the short pipe 32,and the opposite ends of the pipes 36 are secured in a union pipe 37that is also arranged transversely of the machine. A pair of brace pipes38 have their inner ends secured in the pipe 33 and their other endsbent inwardly toward one another and secured in the union pipe 37adjacent the ends of the pipes 36 and these brace pipes are arranged sothat they hold the lamp supporting pipes substantially parallel with theplatform 28 and are mounted so that the frames move with the platformwhen the magazine 26 is adjusted on the support 19.

The lamp housing 31 is supported on legs 39 that terminate in clamps 40so the housing can be moved toward or from the platform 28. If desiredthe pipes 36 can be provided with elongated slots 41 through which screwbolts 42 can be extended for adjustably securing the clamps 40 to theframe.

Preferably the ends of the cross pipes 32, 33 and 37 are closed andpolished as indicated in Fig. 1. The magazine 26 also has a sound head43 integral with its rim in which there are the aligned end and centerchambers 44, 45 and 46 for the exciter lamps 47, 147 in the end chamber44 moving or feed mechanism 48 in the center chamber 45 andphoto-electric cell 49 in the end chamber 46. Also in the chamber 45 isa fire gate 50 through which the film 51 is passed into the take-upmagazine 26 and wound on the shaft 22. The film 51 can be attached tothe shaft 22 in any suitable way, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the shafthas a tongue 122 that holds the end 150 of the film so it can be woundon the shaft 22.

The film moving mechanism 48, photo-electric cell 49 and fire gate 50are all old in the art and are shown only for the purpose ofillustrating the operation of the machine.

The exciter lamp mounting is new and comprises a turntable 52 on whichfour exciter lamps 47 are mounted and arranged so that if the lamp inuse fails to function the operator can instantly replace it with a livelamp, by rotating the turntable a quarter turn. The turn-table 52 issecured on a shaft 53 that has its lower end journaled into the floor ofthe chamber 44 and has its upper end extended through the platform 28.

The shaft has a knurled handle 54 by which it is manually rotated tomove a live lamp 47 in position to replace a dead one. Three of thelamps 47 are idle while the other is working or in use.

The working lamp is held in operating position by means of a springlatch arranged to engage the recesses 56 in the rim of the turntable 52.Also the shaft 53 is held from a too free rotation when released fromthe spring latch 55 by means of a spring 57 that is under tensionbetween the adjustable collar 58 and the roof 59 of the chamber 44. v

The electrical current is supplied to the working lamp 147 adjacent thelight tube 60 in the usual way indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 4 bythe contact plug 160. The light tube 60 is old in the art, and for thatreason is shown diagrammatically, its purpose, as is well known, beingto conduct a strong beam of light from the live lamp 147 to the film 51where it passes through the sound track 61 to the photolytic orph0toelectric cell 49 where, by means well known, the recorded sound isreproduced as the film 51 is transferred from the upper magazine 62 tothe take-up magazine 26. The cell 49 is provided with an electric plugcontact 149.

It is understood that while the film is passing from the upper to thelower magazine the machine is operating to project a picture from thehead 29 to a screen not shown; and while the picture is thus beingreproduced the photo-electric cell sound mechanism is operating insynchronism with the projector head to reproduce the sounds recorded onthe film sound track 61. In the fragment of film 51 shown in Fig. 5 thesucceeding pictures in the rectangular spaces 151 are not shown, as itis understood that in practice pictures are shown in these spaces.

Also in connection with the mechanism for moving the film 51 from theupper to the lower magazine there is a phonograph 163 having a soundturn table 63 on which a sound record 64 can be placed and moved in timewith the film 51 to reproduce the sounds that are associated with thepicture of the film. In other words the machine is equipped with meansfor reproducing projector head 29, film moving mechanism 48,

and take-up shaft 22 in a timed relationship to one another, which meansincludes an electric motor 66 that is mounted on and secured to the seat16 on the table 10 so its shaft 67 is perpendicular to the table andextends both above and below it.

There is a driving connection between the turntable of the phonographand the lower end of the vertically arranged shaft 67 that includes theworm gears 68, 69, shaft 70, worm gears 71, 72 and shaft 73semi-diagrammatically indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. v

The upper end of the shaft 67 is in driving connection with the shaft 22by worm gears 74 and 75 in the split housing 76. Also the worm gear 75is in driving connection with a worm 77 on the lower end of aninclinedshaft 78 that has its lower end mounted in the split housing 176that is pivotally mounted on the shaft 22 and has a slight are movementthereon and also in the housing 76; and also the upper end extendedthrough a housing 79 secured to the platform 28.

The housing 176 is mounted so it has an arc movement around the shaft 22to compensate for the changed position of the magazine 26 when adjustedon its support 19. The shaft. 78 also is provided with a worm and geardrive 80-81 for actuating the film feed mechanism 148 in chamber 48, allold and well understood in the art, and also another worm and gear drive82- 83 for driving the cross shaft 84 on which the gear 85 is mounted.

The gear 85 is arranged so it can be placed in driving connection withthe feed mechanism 185 in the projector head 29, as diagrammaticallyindicated in Fig. 1.

The shaft 78 is extended through the housing 79 and has a knurled handwheel 86 by which the shaft 78 can be manually rotated slowly when the-film 51 is to be threaded down from the upper magazine 62 through theprojector head 29 feed mechanism in the chamber 48 into the lowermagazine 26 where it is connected to the shaft 22.

This hand wheel is placed within easy reach of the operator so he canmanually rotate the various parts when replacing or removing a film orrepairing broken parts.

The motor and driving connection to the various parts are showndiagrammatically for the purpose of illustration.

The magazine 26 is provided with a hinged door 87 and also the chambers47, 48 and 49 are provided with a cover plate 88 as fragmentallyindicated in Fig. 1. Also the chamber 49 is provided with a removableplug 89 that normally closes a window 90 in the rear wall of the housing43. The plug is provided with a knurled knob 91 to facilitate removingthe plug when the photo cell 49 is to be removed, replaced 'or repaired.

The sounds from the record 64 can be taken off in the usual way, as bythe pick-up arm 92. The 110 record 64 is protected by a guard 93 that issupported on the posts 94 and brace 95, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fig. 10 a side view of the film gate 96 is v shown. This gate isadjustable to operate with 1 films of different widths and alsoadjustable so it 'can be arranged central to the film. "It is providedwith a spindle 97 on which the two-piece guide spool 98 is rotatablymounted. The spindle has a relatively heavy end 99 threaded through thepost 100 so the spool and spindle can be adjusted toward or from thespring 101' on the other end of the spindle. The tension of the springholds the spool against the shoulder 102 of the threaded end portion 99.The spool is formed of two parts so they can be spread apart against thetension of the spring 101 to compensate for films of varied width.

The gate 99 is also provided with a stop screw 103 that can be adjustedto limit the inward 13 movement of the gate when being fixed on thetongue and groove support 104-indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 4.

The specific construction of the gate and associated parts will be madethe subject-matter for a separate application, and is shown in theapplication for the purpose of illustration.

In operation the machine is threaded up by manually turning the handwheel 85 until the film 51 is unwound from the upper magazine in a 14sufiioient distance to thread it through the mechanism in the chamber 48and connect it to the winding shaft 22 of the lower magazine. The meansfor connecting the film to the shafts of the magazines are not shown asthat mechanism is old 145 and well understood in the art.

After the film is properly connected the ma chine if out of focus withthe screen can be focused by the means hereinbefore fully described.

When properly focused the motor can be start- 159 ed to actuate themechanism to project the picture and reproduce the sound associated withit. I'he sound can be either taken from the film path 61 or record 64 asdescribed.

We claim as our invention:

1. A sound and moving picture reproducing machine including a table, avertical support thereon having a bearing hole therethrough, a filmtake-up shaft extended horizontally through said bearing hole, amagazine secured to said support that is adjustable in an are aroundsaid shaft, a sound head integral with the rim of said magazine having afilm feed chamber arranged centrally therein and also a lamp andphotoelectric cell chambers on opposite sides of said center chamber, afilm feed'mechanism in said center chamber of said head that isoperatively connected with said shaft, a projector head, a combinedpicture and sound track film in driving connection with said shaft, anda motor for driving said shaft and mechanism in a timed rela-- tionshipto 'one another so, the sound track and picture film will be reproducedin exact time and harmony with one another.

2. A sound and moving picture reproducing machine including a table, ashell-like support having a vertical wall with a bearing holetherethrough, a film take-up shaft extended through said hole, amagazine for housing said shaft, a sound head integral with the rim ofsaid maga zine that has a chamber therein, a projector head, a platformintegral with said sound head, on which said projector head is secured,said magazine secured to the vertical wall of said support so it isadjustable man are around said shaft to focus the projector head on ascreen, a film feed mechanism in the chamber of said head that isoperatively connected with said shaft, and an electric motor foractuating said mechanism and shaft in a timed relationship with one.

another. v

3. A sound and moving picture reproducing machine including a table, ashell-like support thereon that has a vertical wall with a bearing holetherethrough with spaced slots thereinthat are concentric to the centerof said bearing hole, a film take-up shaft extended horizontally throughsaid hole, a magazine for housing said shaft, a sound head integral withsaid magazine that has a center and end chambers therein,v a projectorhead, a platform integral with said magazine on which said projectorhead is secured, screw bolts in said slots for securing said magazine tosaid vertical wall so it can be moved in an are around said shaft tofocus the lens of the projecinr head on a screen, a film feed machanismin the center chamber of said head for moving a picture and sound trackfilm from the projector head through the center chamber to said shaft,means within the other chambers of the sound head for reproducing thesounds recorded on the sound track as the picture and sound film ismoved by said mechanism, and a motor for actuating said shaft andmechanism in a timed relationship with one another.

4. In a sound and moving picture reproducing machine, the combinationwith an adjustable supporting table, a vertical shell-like supportthereon, a film take-up magazine adjustably and pivotally secured tosaid support, a sound head integral with the rim of said magazine havingend and center chambers therein, a platform integral with said soundhead, a projector head secured to said platform through which a talkingpicture filmcan be passed for projection, a film feed mechanism in thecenter chamber of said sound head, means for actuating said mechanism ina timed relationship with the projector head, of an exciter lamp in oneof the end chambers of said sound head, and a photo-electric cell forreproducing the record on said sound track as the picture of said filmis projected. I

5. In a sound and moving picture reproducing machine, the combinationwith a table, a vertical support mounted on said table, a film take-upmagazine :adjustably and pivotally secured to said support, a sound headintegral with said magazine having a lamp chamber, a. center chamher anda photo-electric cell chamber aligned therein, a platform integral withsaid sound head, a projector head secured to said platform, saidmagazine adjustable to focus said head on a screen, a film feedmechanism in the center chamber of said sound track head for moving apicture and sound film from said projector head into said magazine,means for actuating said mechanism in time with the projector head, of aturn-table in said lamp chamber, exciter lamps on said turn-table, aphoto-electric cell in the and other means connected with said table anddriven by said actuating means for also reproducing a sound record intime with the projection of said picture film from said head to a.

screen.

FRED H. HARRINGTON. JAIHES W. EARLY.

